Connecting element for mechanically connecting components

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a connecting element for efficiently connecting components and subassemblies with the most diverse configurations to wall, ceiling and floor surfaces of buildings or frames. The connecting element has two coupling halves ( 1   a   , 1   b ) that can be interconnected by jointing and can be fixed to components or subassemblies to be connected by fixing means. The coupling halves and the fixing means are proportioned to guarantee that the connected components or subassemblies maintain a predetermined mechanically stable state during the exertion of operational forces. According to the invention, coupling halves of conduits ( 2   a   , 2   b    , 10, 22, 32, 33, 34, 35 ) are arranged inside the coupling halves for connecting liquid conduits, gas conduits, electrical conduits or signal conduits, whereby during operation, the conduit coupling halves are connected to the end sections of the conduits to be connected and the coupling halves ( 1   a   , 1   b ) have passages, through which the conduits are directed towards the exterior. The coupling halves are configured in the connected operational state as a housing for the conduit coupling halves ( 2   a   , 2   b   , 10, 22, 32, 33, 34, 35 ), said housing being designed in such a way that the conduit coupling halves ( 2   a   , 2   b, 10, 22, 32, 33, 34, 35 ) and the end sections of the conduits to be connected are protected from operational or environmental damage.

[0001] The invention relates to a connection element for connectingbuilding components effectively, especially building components such as,for example, wall, ceiling and floor elements, as are used inprefabricated building construction. Prefabricated building constructionis understood to mean buildings that are intended to stand for arelatively long time as well as buildings that are used only for arelatively short time such as, for example, buildings for emergencyaccommodation after an earthquake, for military uses, for trade fairconstructions etc..

[0002] Various connection arrangements are known in prefabricatedbuilding construction for connecting wall, ceiling and floor elements.Frequently, for example, wall elements are push-fitted together and thenthe push-fit connections are bolted together. So-called brackets, whichare screwed to the locations being connected, are increasingly beingused in prefabricated building construction. Brackets are adequatelyknown from the prior art so that reference is made merely by way ofexample to the document U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,311.

[0003] There is, and there will also be in the future, a need tominimise work on site because work on site generally has to be carriedout using local workers who may, depending on circumstances, be poorlytrained or expensive. Furthermore, there are scarcely any possibilitiesfor automating installation on site, as a result of which reduction ofthe costs arising on site can be achieved only with difficulty. Afurther problem is the construction time, which, in the case oflaborious manual installation of wall elements, can be shortened only toa limited degree.

[0004] It is accordingly problematic that, in prefabricated buildingconstruction, manufacture of the building components can be carried outwith a high degree of automation and a high production quality can alsobe achieved, whereas, during installation of the prefabricated elementson site, the speed of installation and the quality of work can, incontrast, be influenced only to a small extent.

[0005] There is, however, a permanent need to reduce construction costsand to improve the quality of assembled structures, the expression“assembled structures” being understood to mean any structure that isput together on site from prefabricated elements, the necessary worksubstantially being carried out manually by qualified workers.

[0006] The invention relates likewise to a device for effectivelyconnecting sub-assemblies in a very great variety of forms to wall,ceiling and floor surfaces of buildings or frameworks. The followinglist of sub-assemblies is not exhaustive and is intended merely toillustrate the wide range of applications of the invention:

[0007] Sub-assemblies from the area of heating, ventilation andair-conditioning:

[0008] wall radiators, kitchen unit with gas or electric cooker, oven,air-conditioning unit for wall assembly, utility module having a hotwater tank, hot water production unit and various additional devicessuch as, for example, water filters.

[0009] Sub-assemblies from the sanitary area:

[0010] modules having wash-basin, WC or shower cubicle.

[0011] In similar manner to the production of prefabricated buildings,there is also the problem, in the case of the sub-assemblies mentionedabove, of effective and reliable installation on site, especially incases where the sub-assemblies have a large number of connection pointsand connections such as, for example, for water, gas, electricity or/andtelephone and data-processing devices. Because the complexity of thesub-assemblies is increasing further, highly qualified skilled workersare required for installation on site. As a result, installation costsare increasing. If qualified staff are not used there is an increase infailures, for example as a result of incorrect electrical or signalconnections, the correction of which likewise gives rise to high costs.

[0012] The problem of the present invention is accordingly to makeeffective the installation of building components and sub-assemblies inthe construction sector so that even less well qualified workers cancarry out complicated installation work quickly and without mistakes.

[0013] The problem is solved by a device according to claim 1.

[0014] A connection element is provided for connecting buildingcomponents or sub-assemblies mechanically, the connection element havingtwo coupling halves, which can be brought into engagement by a joiningmovement. The coupling halves can be fastened to the building componentsor sub-assemblies being connected, using fastening means such as, forexample, screws or adhesive. The coupling halves and the fastening meansare so dimensioned that, when forces occurring in use are applied, themechanically stable state of the connected building components orsub-assemblies is maintained for a long period. Inside the couplinghalves there are arranged line coupling halves. The line coupling halvesare used for connecting liquid lines or gas lines or electrical lines orsignal lines such as, for example, for telephone or video devices. Theline coupling halves are connected to the ends of the lines. The linespass through openings to the outside or pass inside the buildingcomponent or sub-assembly.

[0015] In accordance with the invention, the coupling halves in thein-use connected state are in the form of housings of the line couplinghalves. The housing comprising the pushed-together coupling halves is soformed that the line coupling halves and the end portions of the linesbeing connected are protected from damaging operational or environmentalinfluences. Because the operational or environmental influences may bevery varied, the person skilled in the art will, on the basis of thetechnical teaching imparted, have to design the coupling halves so that,with regard to the specific application, they adequately protect theline coupling halves and the end portions of the lines being connected.It may accordingly be necessary, for example under certain operationalconditions, to provide a hermetically sealed housing in order to avoidcorrosion on the line coupling halves. In that case, the line couplinghalves are, in the connected state, enclosed on all sides and can haveseals that, in the connected state, prevent the entry of atmospherichumidity or water. The very great variety of forms of such seals areadequately known to the person skilled in the art, for example from thefield of the installation of electric cables in wet rooms.

[0016] It should be mentioned that the procedure for dimensioning anddesigning the coupling halves is as follows:

[0017] a. dimensioning according to the mechanical operational forces tobe expected, taking into account the installation situation and thespace required for the line coupling halves;

[0018] b. dimensioning according to the damaging operational andenvironmental influences to be expected, the specific installationconditions also having to be taken into account in this instance.Accordingly, a coupling half can, for example, be open to the rear,despite a requirement for sealing, if the coupling half is arrangedwithin a recess in the building component being connected. Covering andsealing to the rear are, in that instance, accomplished by the buildingcomponent.

[0019] The basic idea of the invention therefore consists in providingmechanical fastening elements that have couplings for energy and signalsupply. These mechanical fastening elements are used in same manner asthe conventional brackets, that is to say they are fastened usingfastening means such as, for example, screws, at the locations intendedfor that purpose on the building components or sub-assemblies beingconnected. The mechanical fastening elements are so constructed that theline couplings for the energy and signal lines are, in the connectedstate, so encased that they are adequately protected against damaginginfluences.

[0020] The main advantage of the invention is that, for the first time,there is provided a connector that can be used in highly universalmanner, that—depending on the requirement—can be used in the same manneras a conventional bracket for a very great variety of purposes and thatcan be installed with little difficulty at freely selectable locationson the building components or sub-assemblies being connected. As isusual in the case of conventional brackets, the connection elementaccording to the invention can be arranged recessed in grooves or inblind drilled holes.

[0021] It is accordingly no longer necessary to carry out connection ofthe individual supply and signal lines separately, after joining thebuilding elements together, as a result of which expensive installationtime is saved. Because skilled workers are no longer required forconnection of the supply and signal lines, the functional reliability ofthe connection locations can be substantially increased. The inventionis found to be especially advantageous in the case of modern buildingsthat are controlled by a building management system. Such buildingmanagement systems require, amongst other things, a large number ofsensors, which are connected to electronic control devices, resulting inextensive wiring. When that wiring is already integrated into the walls,ceilings etc. and is connected automatically and without error in thecourse of installation of the walls, ceilings etc., costs can be reducedand quality increased.

[0022] It will be clear to the person skilled in the art that thegeneral inventive idea can be put into practice in a great variety ofarrangements. The description of embodiments of the subordinate claimsand of exemplary embodiments indicates basic arrangements so that theinvention is adequately disclosed to the person skilled in the art.

[0023] According to claim 2, the connection element is so arranged thatthe direction of the joining movement of the coupling halves is the sameas the direction of the joining movement of the line coupling halves,that is to say when pushing together the mechanical coupling halves theline coupling halves are also pushed together in the same direction.This embodiment has a simple arrangement.

[0024] According to claim 3, the connection element is so arranged thatthe direction of the joining movement of the coupling halves differsfrom the direction of the joining movement of the line coupling halves,that is to say the directions of the joining movements are not the same.This embodiment is advantageous when structural dimensions of thecomponents being connected allow for only restricted space conditions,that not being feasible using an embodiment according to claim 2.

[0025] According to claim 4, the connection element is so arranged thatthe line coupling halves are joined together at the same time as thecoupling halves, that is to say when the mechanical coupling shells arecompletely joined together the line coupling halves are also joinedtogether. This embodiment makes possible a simple and economicalarrangement.

[0026] According to claim 5, the connection element is so arranged that,during connection, first the coupling halves are completely connectedand only thereafter are the line coupling halves joined together. Thisembodiment has particular advantages under especially tough installationconditions. For example, the line coupling halves can remain in aprotected position until the coupling halves have been completelyclosed. Connection of the line coupling halves is performed only withina completely protected housing.

[0027] According to claim 6, the connection element is so arranged thatthe line coupling halves can be connected singly or together by means ofa connection mechanism. The connection mechanism has the followingfeatures: a slide mechanism for bringing together the line couplinghalves. The person skilled in the art will understand a slide mechanismin this context to be a guideway on which or in which the couplinghalves can slide on a track. Such guideways or slide arrangements can befound in relevant textbooks of design theory and are therefore notfurther described. In order to drive the slide mechanism, a drivemechanism is provided, the subject-matter of claims 7 and 8 comprisingtwo possible embodiments of a drive mechanism.

[0028] According to claim 7, the drive mechanism has a spring mechanism,wherein a blocked, biased spring drives the slide mechanism whenblocking of the spring is released automatically or manually. Automaticrelease of the blocking can be carried out, for example, as a result ofdisplacement of a pin blocking the spring, which is brought about whenthe mechanical coupling halves are joined together and, as a result,blocking of the spring is removed. Such arrangements may either be foundcomplete in relevant textbooks or are part of the technical knowledgethat is always at the disposal of a design engineer, who is thereforenot required to act inventively.

[0029] According to claim 8, the drive mechanism is arranged to beactuated manually. For example, the drive mechanism can be actuatedusing a key, that is to say when the coupling halves are completelyconnected, a key-like tool is pushed into a recess—in similar manner toa key-hole. The slide mechanism is actuated by rotating the tool. Theline coupling halves can accordingly be joined together, as well asseparated again. Here too, the person skilled in the art will befamiliar with a very great variety of arrangements for solving thisproblem such as, for example, arrangements from the field of locks orsimple arrangements having a rack and pinion, wherein the pinion isturned using the tool, resulting in movement of the rack, which iscoupled to the slide mechanism. The person skilled in the art willlikewise also be familiar with hydraulic or pneumatic solutions, whereina piston coupled to the slide mechanism is displaced as a result of theintroduction of liquid or air into a cylinder.

[0030] According to claim 9, the connection element is so arranged thatthe coupling halves have grooves located on the inside and projectionsmatched thereto, which engage with one another when the connectionelement is in the connected state and serve to maintain or improve themechanical connection properties. Arranged inside the grooves andprojections engaging with one another are electric contacts. Using thisembodiment, the space required for the electric line coupling halves canbe reduced because the electric contacts are integrally connected to thecoupling half in question.

[0031] According to claim 10, the connection element is so arranged thatinside the coupling halves there are provided flat portions that are ina close positional relationship to one another when the coupling halvesare in the connected state. Provided on those flat portions are contactelements for producing a signal connection. When the coupling halves arein the connected state, the contact elements located opposite oneanother touch and the contact is closed. Because the currents flowingfor the signal connection are only low, the contact elements can be ofsmall dimensions. As a result of this embodiment, the space required forthe signal-related line coupling halves can be reduced.

[0032] According to claim 11, there is provided a connection elementwhose coupling halves have a rectangular plinth portion, in whichfastening holes are provided. Arranged on the plinth portion arewedge-shaped or conical engaging elements and wedge-shaped orcone-shaped recesses matched thereto. The plinth portion can be fastenedby simple means on a surface, in a recess or in a groove. The form ofthe engaging elements can be freely selected by the person skilled inthe art and matched to the relevant requirements without requiring aninventive step.

[0033] According to claim 12, there is provided a connection elementwherein at least one engaging element pair is in the form of a pipecoupling that can be pushed together and that forms the connection for aliquid line. This embodiment is especially economical because the doublefunction of the engaging element pair saves having a separate pipecoupling.

[0034] According to claim 13, in the case of the media supply connectionelements in pipe form, there is provided a pressure-actuatable internallock and internal seal which bring about locking and sealing of theconnection when it is subjected to pressure by means of liquid or gas.The advantage of this embodiment is that, after all media connectionlocations have been completely installed, they can be sealed in a singleoperation by the propagation of pressure.

[0035] According to claim 14, the connections are produced as follows: Apressure-activatable adhesive is applied in the factory to the joiningpress surfaces at the connection locations. Such adhesives are known tothe person skilled in the art. They comprise, for example, smallspherules in which adhesive is embedded. When carrying out joining underpressure, for example when pressing surfaces together, the spherulesburst and release the adhesive so that the joining press surfaces arebonded to one another. A very stable connection is produced as a resultof this measure.

[0036] According to claim 15, there is provided on the joining presssurfaces, which are in pressing contact on being joined together, anasymmetrical surface toothed arrangement, which forms a unilaterallyacting frictional and positive connection after pressing together.

[0037] It is left to the person skilled in the art to select suitablelocations for arranging the adhesive connection or the surface toothedarrangement because it is only necessary, for that purpose, to haveknowledge of the strength or static characteristics of the specificbuilding construction.

[0038] According to claim 16, the contacts of the electrical connectionelements are encapsulated. The capsules are in the form of a plug andcoupling. Arranged over each of the areas that are pushed together is athin film that hermetically seals the electric contacts and, as aresult, prevents the entry of moisture and, consequently, corrosion. Thefilms are broken when the plug and coupling are joined together.However, that occurs only once a hermetic seal has again been producedby the connection of plug and coupling. A specific arrangement isdescribed in an exemplary embodiment.

[0039] According to claim 17, there is introduced into the plug and thecoupling a moisture-binding substance which lastingly absorbsenvironmental moisture that may still enter when the plug and couplingare joined together.

[0040] The invention will be described below in greater detail withreference to exemplary embodiments and selected application examples inconjunction with the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

[0041]FIGS. 1a-d show, in diagrammatic form, a first embodiment of theinvention.

[0042]FIGS. 2a-d show, in diagrammatic form, a second embodiment of theinvention.

[0043]FIGS. 3a-d show, in diagrammatic form, a third embodiment of theinvention, having a pressure-actuated lock.

[0044]FIGS. 4a-c show, in diagrammatic form, a fourth embodiment of theinvention, having a pressure-activatable adhesive connection.

[0045]FIGS. 5a, b show, in diagrammatic form, a fifth embodiment of theinvention, having a protective film.

[0046]FIGS. 6a-d show, in diagrammatic form, a sixth embodiment of theinvention, having a frictional/positive locking connection.

[0047]FIGS. 7a, b show, in diagrammatic form, a seventh embodiment ofthe invention.

[0048]FIG. 8 shows, in diagrammatic form, an eighth embodiment of theinvention.

[0049]FIG. 9 shows, in diagrammatic form, a ninth embodiment of theinvention.

[0050]FIG. 10 shows, in diagrammatic form, a tenth embodiment of theinvention.

[0051]FIGS. 11a, b show, in diagrammatic form, an eleventh embodiment ofthe invention.

[0052]FIG. 12 shows, in diagrammatic form, a twelfth embodiment of theinvention.

[0053] FIGS. 13-17 show application examples of the invention.

[0054]FIG. 1 shows, in diagrammatic form, a first embodiment of theinvention, wherein reference symbols 1 a and 1 b denote wall portions inwhich there is arranged the line connection, which consists of a largenumber of plugs 2 a and a large number of couplings 2 b matched thereto.The plugs 2 a are held in an assembly holder 3 a and the couplings 2 bare held in an assembly holder 3 b. The assembly holders are fastened incorresponding recesses in the wall portions. The recesses are soconstructed that the wall portions can be pushed into one another andform a closed wall portion in the pushed-together state. FIG. 1a shows,in a side view, two wall portions 1 a and 1 b having recesses, in whichassembly holders 3 a and 3 b are fastened by means of screw connections.It will be clear to the person skilled in the art that the fastening ofthe assembly holders 3 a and 3 b can be accomplished in various ways sothat further explanations in this regard can be dispensed with. FIG. 1bshows the invention in a top view, wherein three line plugs 2 a andthree line couplings 2 b can be seen. In the present case, sealingbetween the line plug 2 a and the line coupling 2 b is carried out bymeans of an O ring 4. When the two wall portions 1 a and 1 b are, asshown in FIG. 1c, brought together in the direction of the arrow, theline plugs 2 a and the line couplings 2 b come into engagement. In orderto compensate for manufacturing tolerances, the line plugs 2 a and/orthe line couplings 2 b are mounted in floating (i.e. laterallydisplaceable) manner. This measure guarantees a constraint-free andreliable connection. FIG. 1d shows the end state, wherein the threelines are connected to one another reliably and sealed. Additionalconstructional measures ensure that the two wall portions 1 a and 1 bare held in the position according to FIG. 1d.

[0055]FIG. 2 shows, in diagrammatic form, a second embodiment of theinvention, wherein assembly holders 3 a and 3 b have a centring device 5a, 5 b, which guarantees reliable joining. The centring device is sodimensioned that the transverse forces that occur when the walls arejoined together are reliably taken up, so that the coupling halves arenot damaged by being brought together in misaligned manner. FIG. 2 isanalogous to FIG. 1, so that the person skilled in the art will not needit to be described again.

[0056]FIG. 3 shows, in diagrammatic form, a third embodiment of theinvention, wherein there is provided a locking device 6 which reliablyprevents the building components such as, for example, walls from comingapart again and, consequently, the coupling halves from becoming looseor, as a result, from being damaged in such a way that sealing is nolonger ensured. In the present example, the locking device 6 has apressure piston and cylinder arrangement 6 a and also a locking pistonand cylinder arrangement 6 b, which are connected to one another bymeans of a hydraulic line 6 c. When the building components and thecoupling halves are reliably connected, there is exerted on the pressurepiston of the pressure piston and cylinder arrangement 6 a a force thatdisplaces the piston, as a result of which the locking piston of thelocking piston and cylinder arrangement 6 b is pressed, by means of thehydraulic line 6 c, into a recess 6 d, as a result of which the buildingcomponents are firmly and reliably connected to one another. Theapplication of force to the pressure piston can be accomplished, forexample, by utilising the force exerted on joining the buildingcomponents together. In FIG. 3d it can be seen that the locking pistonhas engaged in the recess 6 d.

[0057] A means of producing a lasting and stable connection is shown inFIG. 4. All contacting surfaces of the centring device are coated with aspecial adhesive 7. When the contacting surfaces are pressed togetherunder strong pressure, the adhesive 7 is activated and it fixedlyconnects the contacting surfaces to one another. Suchpressure-activatable adhesives are known to the person skilled in theart so that a more detailed explanation thereof is not necessary.

[0058] In order to prevent the coupling halves from corroding, which isespecially disadvantageous, for example, in the case of electricalconnections, the coupling halves are covered with a protective film 8according to FIG. 5. On joining, the protective film 8 is broken incontrolled manner so that the hitherto hermetically sealed, that is tosay non-corroded, elements of the coupling halves are joined together.In a further embodiment, sealing elements are provided whichre-establish a hermetic seal after joining.

[0059]FIG. 6 shows a simple and very effective measure for reliable andlasting connection. The contacting surfaces of the centring device areprovided with a multi-wedge-shaped surface toothed arrangement 9. Whenthe contacting surfaces are pressed against one another in the course ofjoining, the teeth of the surface toothed arrangement 9 lock in andremain in that position so that a positive and frictional connection isproduced. The person skilled in the art will know that, for thispurpose, the multi-toothed arrangement must be asymmetrical so that thehooking-in effect occurs in only one direction, that is to say, in thepresent example, on pressing together the contacting surfaces.

[0060] FIGS. 1 to 6 show the various embodiments of the invention withreference to a substantially similar basic form of coupling. The variousinstallation phases are illustrated so that it is possible, for theperson skilled in the art, to dispense with repetitions in thedescription. The following examples show that it is also possible to usebasic forms of coupling that are different in principle.

[0061]FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the coupling having two couplinghalves 1 a, 1 b, with only a water pipe 10 being connected in thisembodiment. When the coupling halves are pushed together, the two pipeportions 10 a, 10 b are located one above the other. A seal arrangement11 a, 11 b is provided for the purpose of sealing.

[0062]FIG. 8 shows a coupling half 1 a wherein an angled water pipe 10is movably arranged. The water pipe has, on its surface, a toothedarrangement 12, which is in engagement with a pinion 13. The water pipe10 is pressed against the pinion 13 by a counter-mounting 14. The pinion13 is connected to a pin 15 which is rotatably mounted in a mounting 16.By means of a tool 17, the water pipe can accordingly be displaced inits longitudinal extent. When the coupling half 1 a is placed on acoupling half matched thereto, the coupling halves of the water pipes tobe connected are not yet in engagement. Only as a result of turning thetool 17 and the resulting displacement of the first water pipe towardsthe water pipe of the other coupling half is the connectionaccomplished. This exemplary embodiment is accordingly a practical formof the invention according to claim 5 and the claims dependent thereon.

[0063]FIG. 9 shows a similar coupling half 1 a to FIG. 8. The water pipe10 is likewise displaceably mounted and is urged in the direction of thearrow by means of a spring 18. When the coupling half 1 a is placed on acoupling half matched thereto, the coupling halves of the water pipes tobe connected are not yet in engagement because a blocking pin 19prevents movement of the pipe. Only by pulling out the blocking pin 19,using a pull rope 20, is a stop 21 released, as a result of which thepipe moves in the direction of the arrow and is coupled to itscounterpart component. The sealing arrangements required for the purposepreferably have O rings.

[0064]FIG. 10 shows a coupling half 1 a having an integrally formedwater pipe coupling 22. The integral formation saves having a separatecoupling element for the water line. As can be seen from theillustration, the water pipe coupling forms a sturdy central elementwhich is also capable of taking up large mechanical forces. Referencesymbol 23 denotes a spring-loaded blocking flap, shown in diagrammaticform, which on coupling together is pressed in the direction of thearrow by the counterpart component and in the final state snaps into arecess in the counterpart component. As a result, the coupling iseffectively prevented from coming apart.

[0065]FIG. 11a likewise shows a first coupling half 1 a having anintegrally formed water pipe coupling 22. In addition, electricalcontacts 24 are provided inside the engagement grooves for thetransmission of electrical energy. Furthermore, there are arranged onthe rectangular plinth element 25 a row of small contact elements 26,which may be used, for example, for the transmission of sensor signalssuch as, for example, temperature. FIG. 11b shows the second couplinghalf matched thereto.

[0066]FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment of the invention. The couplinghalves are in the form of wedge-shaped profiled rods 27, 28, the firstcoupling half having a male wedge 29 and the second coupling half havinga female wedge 30. There is furthermore provided a positively actingconnection device 31 a, b, the mode of operation of which can be seen inFIG. 12. When both profiled rods are brought into engagement, theconnection device 31 a engages around the connection device 31 b. Thedimensioning of this connection device 31 is not described in furtherdetail because such click-in connection arrangements are adequatelyknown and can be arranged as required. Provided inside the connectiondevice are line coupling elements 32 to 35, which are connected to oneanother when the profiled rods 27, 28 are coupled together.

[0067]FIG. 13 shows a possible application of the invention in the fieldof heating and water installation. Various units are arranged on abaseplate 36. Arranged in the wall are four couplings 37, 38 (39, 40 notshown) according to the invention, which are connected to various linesrunning within the wall. Arranged on the baseplate 36 are thecounterparts matched to the couplings 37 to 40. As a result, thebaseplate 36 can be completely or possibly even automatically kitted outat the manufacturer's. The kitted-out baseplate is simply hung intoplace on site. It will be clear that the installation costs on site canbe considerably reduced as a result. Furthermore, kitting-out is carriedout in a very short time and the risk of mis-connection or incorrectwiring is ruled out.

[0068]FIG. 14 shows a further possible application of the invention inthe kitchen sector. It can be seen from the drawing, without moredetailed explanation, that a complete kitchen unit consisting of arefrigerator, electric cooker and sink unit together with dishwasher canbe hung onto a wall analogously to the description of FIG. 13, referencesymbols 41 to 45 denoting the visible couplings.

[0069]FIG. 15 shows a further possible application of the invention inthe bathroom sector. It can be seen from the drawing, without moredetailed explanation, that a complete sanitary unit block consisting ofa shower cubicle, toilet, wash-basin together with a mirrored cabinetcan be fastened to a wall with little outlay analogously to thedescription of FIG. 13, reference symbols 46 to 52 denoting thecouplings.

[0070]FIG. 16 shows a further possible application of the invention inthe installation of public telephone devices. Arranged on the rear ofthe telephone device are two couplings 53, 54 according to the inventionand a locking device 55 that can be secured. The telephone device canaccordingly be rapidly exchanged in the event of a defect and is securedagainst theft by means of the locking device.

[0071]FIG. 17 shows a further possible application of the invention inthe heating sector. Provided on a baseplate 56 fastened to a wall arecouplings 57 to 60, couplings 58 and 59 being constructed in accordancewith the invention. It will be clear that, using this arrangement, panelradiators can be installed very quickly or exchanged in the event of adefect.

[0072] Finally, it should be emphasised that the technical teaching ofthe invention, as disclosed by the features disclosed in the descriptionand the exemplary embodiments, is very wide-ranging. With knowledge ofthis technical teaching, the person skilled in the art will be able atany time to develop the invention or adapt it to particular requirementswithout, for the purpose, having to act inventively.

1. Connection element for connecting building components orsub-assemblies mechanically, the connection element having two couplinghalves (1 a, 1 b) which can be brought into engagement by a joiningmovement, which coupling halves are arranged to be fastened to thebuilding components or sub-assemblies being connected, using fasteningmeans, the coupling halves (1 a, 1 b) and the fastening means being sodimensioned that, when forces occurring in use are applied, apredetermined mechanically stable state of the connected buildingcomponents or sub-assemblies is maintained, characterised in that insidethe coupling halves (1 a, 1 b) there are arranged line coupling halves(2 a, 2 b, 10, 22, 32, 33, 34, 35) for connecting liquid lines or gaslines or electrical lines or signal lines, the line coupling halves inthe in-use state being connected to the end portions of the lines beingconnected and the coupling halves having openings through which thelines pass to the outside; and the coupling halves in the in-useconnected state are in the form of housings for the line coupling halves(2 a, 2 b, 10, 22, 32, 33, 34, 35), the housing being so formed that theline coupling halves and the end portions of the lines being connectedare protected from damaging operational or environmental influences. 2.Connection element according to claim 1, characterised in that theconnection element is so arranged that the direction of the joiningmovement of the coupling halves is the same as the direction of thejoining movement for connecting the line coupling halves (2 a, 2 b , 32,33, 34, 35).
 3. Connection element according to claim 1, characterisedin that the connection element is so arranged that the direction of thejoining movement of the coupling halves is not the same as the directionof the joining movement for connecting the line coupling halves. 4.Connection element according to claim 2, characterised in that theconnection element is so arranged that the line coupling halves arejoined together at the same time as the coupling halves.
 5. Connectionelement according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the connectionelement is so arranged that that, during connection, first the couplinghalves are completely connected and thereafter the line coupling halvesare joined together.
 6. Connection element according to claim 5,characterised in that the connection element is so arranged that theline coupling halves can be connected singly or together by means of aconnection mechanism, the connection mechanism having the followingfeatures: a slide mechanism (14) for bringing together the line couplinghalves, and a drive mechanism (13,14, 15,16) to drive the slidemechanism.
 7. Connection element according to claim 6, characterised inthat the drive mechanism has a spring mechanism, wherein a blocked,biased spring (18) actuates the slide mechanism after blocking (19) ofthe spring (18) has been released automatically or manually. 8.Connection element according to claim 6, characterised in that the drivemechanism (17) is arranged to be actuated manually.
 9. Connectionelement according to claim 4, characterised in that the coupling halveshave grooves arranged on the inside and projections matched thereto,which engage with one another when the connection element is in theconnected state, predetermined portions of the grooves and projectionsbeing in a close positional relationship to one another and contactelements (24) being provided at the predetermined portions to produce anelectrical connection.
 10. Connection element according to claim 4,characterised in that inside the coupling halves there are arranged flatportions, which are in a close positional relationship to one anotherwhen the coupling halves are in the connected state, contact elements(26) being provided on those flat portions to produce a signalconnection, the contact elements located opposite one another touchingone another when the coupling halves are in the connected state. 11.Connection element according to one of the preceding claims,characterised in that the coupling halves have a rectangular plinthportion, in which fastening holes are provided for fastening of thecoupling half on a surface or in a rectangular recess or in a groove ofthe building component being connected, and on the plinth portion thereare provided a large number of wedge-shaped or conical engaging elements(5 a) and wedge-shaped or cone-shaped recesses (5 b) matched thereto.12. Connection element according to claim 4 and claim 11, characterisedin that at least one engaging element pair is in the form of a pipecoupling (10) that can be pushed together and that forms the connectionfor a liquid or gas line.
 13. Connection element according to one of thepreceding claims, characterised in that there is provided apressure-actuatable locking device (6), which brings about locking ofthe connection when it is subjected to pressure by means of a workliquid or gas.
 14. Connection element according to one of the precedingclaims, characterised in that on the coupling halves there are providedjoining press surfaces, to which pressure-activatable adhesive (7) isapplied so that, when the coupling halves (1 a, 1 b) are joinedtogether, the adhesive (7) is activated and the joining press surfacesare lastingly bonded to one another.
 15. Connection arrangementaccording to claim 1 to 13, characterised in that on the coupling halvesthere are provided joining press surfaces, on which there is provided anasymmetrical surface toothed arrangement (9), which forms a unilaterallyacting frictional and positive connection on pressing together. 16.Connection arrangement according to one of the preceding claims,characterised in that the contacts of the electrical line couplinghalves are hermetically encapsulated by means of a membrane (8), themembrane (8) being broken when the line coupling halves are joinedtogether.
 17. Connection arrangement according to claim 16,characterised in that in the hermetically encapsulated line couplinghalf there is introduced a moisture-binding substance.